Hitchcock joins the Oscar race
A surprising addition has been made to the long list of Oscar contenders this year with Fox Searchlight announcing a November 23 release date for Hitchcock—a drama-comedy originally set to open in 2013. Teeming with talent from an ensemble cast that features the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel, Hitchcock takes a behind-the-scenes look at the master filmmaker's relationship with his wife, Alma Reville, during the making of his 1960 classic Psycho. With its enviable cast, Hitchcock also boasts the directing talents of Sacha Gervasi, an adapted script by John McLaughlin (Black Swan), cinematography by Jeff Cronenworth (Oscar-nominated for his work with David Fincher on The Social Network, and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), and a score composed by Danny Elfman.  Alongside big titles including Life of Pi, Silver Linings Playbook, and Rust and Bone, that will also be released in that week, Hitchcock's performance in theaters and critical circles will no doubt enhance the suspense leading up to the Oscars.

Roman Polanski to adapt Broadway sensation Venus in Fur
On Thursday, Roman Polanski announced his intentions to direct a French-language film adaptation of David Ives' Tony Award-winning stage production, Venus in Fur. Opening on Broadway in 2011, Venus in Fur is a dark comedy-drama about the power struggles between a female actress and the male director of an erotic play. With his wife, Emmanuelle Seigner, set to take on the lead female role, Polanski will begin production for the Venus in Fur adaptation in November, in Paris. This project is said to take precedence over his previously announced work on D—a dramatic thriller based on the 1894 Dreyfus Affair.

Netflix looks into Original Programming
The movie and television streaming site Netflix has recently been showing signs of expanding its original programming with serials such as Lilyhammer, the return of Arrested Development, and a new Ricky Gervais comedy being added to the collection. What began as a DVD rental site, Netflix now appears to be transitioning again—refusing to remain an online streaming service, and pursuing the competitive world of original programming, home to big names such as HBO and Showtime. In providing its viewers with a vast array of films, Netflix has also partnered with The Weinstein Company’s RADiUS-TWC to begin streaming films such as Bachelorette, Butter, and The Details in 2013.

Key dates for the Oscars are announced
The 85th Academy Awards will be announcing official nominations on January 10—five days earlier than previous years. According to a statement released by the Academy, this push to an earlier announcement date will allow members of the Academy and members of the public a longer period in which they can see the nominated films. This year, the Academy will also provide members with the chance to vote electronically for the first time in its history. Other important dates for the Oscar race include: December 17 nominations voting begin, February 8 final voting begins, and February 24th when the Academy Awards are presented in Hollywood.